Systems and Methods for Controlling a Vehicle HVAC System

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/560,216, filed Dec. 22, 2021, entitled “Systems and Methods ForControlling A Vehicle HVAC System,” which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/894,728, filed Jun. 5, 2020 (now U.S.Pat. No. 11,241,939), entitled “Systems and Methods For Controlling AVehicle HVAC System,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/439,865, filed Feb. 22, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,675,948),entitled “Systems and Methods for Controlling a Vehicle HVAC System,”which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/401,756,filed Sep. 29, 2016, entitled “Systems and Methods for Controlling aVehicle HVAC System,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/454,281,filed Feb. 3, 2017, entitled “Systems and Methods for Controlling aVehicle HVAC System,” all of which are hereby expressly incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This generally relates to heating, ventilating, and air conditioning(HVAC) systems for vehicles and methods for controlling such systems,including but not limited to, HVAC systems and methods for utilizingdual compressors.

BACKGROUND

Recent global economic expansion has stressed the transportationindustry's ability to keep up with shipping demands for materials andproducts. Drivers' time spent on the road, and in the vehicles, hasincreased in an attempt to meet the high market demands. In addition,drivers in the industry take breaks along their routes to combatfatigue, or to comply with various regulations. Thus, the number oftrucks pulled over at toll plazas, weight stations, rest stops, and thelike has also increased in recent years. Significantly, these locationsoften do not provide facilities for the drivers to use to sleep or rest,necessitating continued occupancy within the vehicle.

In some circumstances heat conditions can present issues for the driversranging from discomfort to health risks, such as heat stroke. Thus it isimportant that the drivers have access to functioning vehicular climatesystems at all times, including at rest stops.

Such a climate system needs to provide a comfortable environment fordrivers and passengers when the engine of the vehicle is on as well aswhen it is off. Maximizing the efficiency of such systems, however, ischallenging.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for systems and/or devices with moreefficient and accurate methods for providing a comfortable environmentwithin a vehicle. In some instances, such systems, devices, and methodsmanage an engine-driven compressor and an electrically-driven compressorso as to maximize efficiency. Such systems, devices, and methodsoptionally complement or replace conventional systems, devices, andmethods for providing a comfortable environment within the vehicle.

In some embodiments, a climate system is provided that includes aprimary air conditioning system having a first compressor, a secondcompressor, and a controller electrically coupled to the firstcompressor (also sometimes called the primary compressor) and the secondcompressor (also sometimes called the auxiliary compressor). The primaryair conditioning system further includes: a temperature sensorconfigured to measure a temperature within the compartment of thevehicle; and a user interface configured to receive a desiredtemperature of the compartment from a user. The second compressor iscoupled with primary air conditioning system, and driven by an electricmotor to compress a refrigerant. The controller is configured to obtainthe desired temperature of the compartment from the input mechanism,receive the measured temperature of the compartment from the sensor, andcalculate a thermal load of the compartment based at least partially ona difference between the desired temperature and the measuredtemperature. Upon determining that the thermal load exceeds a firstpredetermined thermal load threshold, the controller automatically,without human intervention, turns-on the engine if the engine is off;activates the first compressor, if the first compressor is off, tocompress the refrigerant for cooling the compartment; and activates thesecond compressor, if the second compressor is off, to compress therefrigerant for cooling the compartment. Upon determining that thethermal load does not exceed the first predetermined thermal loadthreshold but does exceed a second thermal load threshold, thecontroller automatically, without human intervention, turns-on theengine if the engine is off; and activates the first compressor, if thefirst compressor is off, to compress the refrigerant for cooling thecompartment. Upon determining that the thermal load does not exceed thesecond predetermined thermal load threshold, the controller deactivatesthe first compressor if the first compressor is on; and activate thesecond compressors, if the second compressor is off, to compress therefrigerant for cooling the compartment.

In some embodiments, the electric motor is powered by a battery that ischarged by the engine during operation of the engine, by a solar panelinstalled on the vehicle, or by an external source of electrical power.

In some embodiments, the second compressor is fluidly coupled inparallel with the first compressor and fluidly coupled in series with afirst condenser and a first evaporator of the primary air conditioningsystem.

In some embodiments, the climate system further includes a secondcondenser disposed downstream of the second compressor and fluidlycoupled to the second compressor to condense the refrigerant compressedby the second compressor. The second compressor and the second condenserform an auxiliary unit fluidly coupled in parallel with the firstcompressor and fluidly coupled in series with a first condenser and afirst evaporator of the primary air conditioning system. In someembodiments, the second compressor and the second condenser areintegrated to form one single unit. In some embodiments, the auxiliaryunit also includes a first air blower electrically coupled to thecontroller, positioned proximate the second condenser and configured toblow ambient air or air from an air intake of the engine over the secondcondenser. In such embodiments, the controller automatically activatesthe first air blower to blow the ambient air or the air from the airintake of the engine over the second condenser when the secondcompressor is activated.

In some embodiments, the controller is wirelessly coupled to a mobileremote control capable of selectively activating or deactivating thecontroller from inside and outside of the vehicle. In some embodiments,the remote control is embedded in a vehicle key or a mobile phone. Insome embodiments, the controller is automatically activated when theremote control is moving towards the vehicle and passing a firstpredetermined periphery. The controller is automatically deactivatedwhen the remote control is moving away from the vehicle and passing asecond predetermined periphery.

In some embodiments, the climate system also includes an object sensorconfigured to sense presence or absence of an object in the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the primary air conditioning system includes a heatexchanger thermally coupled with the compartment of the vehicle; and acoolant pump connected to an engine coolant line for circulating aheated engine coolant from the engine to the heat exchanger to heat thecompartment of the vehicle. In such embodiments, the controllerautomatically activates the coolant pump to direct the heated enginecoolant from the engine to the heat exchanger to heat the compartment ofthe vehicle, if the temperature in the compartment is below the desiredtemperature and if the engine is turned on.

In other embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method forcontrolling a climate system installed in a vehicle for heating andcooling a compartment of the vehicle. The climate system includes anengine driven air conditioning system, an electrically driven unit and acontroller for performing the method. The engine driven air conditioningsystem includes an engine driven compressor, a condenser, and anevaporator thermally coupled to the compartment of the vehicle to coolthe compartment. The electrically driven unit includes an electricallydriven compressor fluidly coupled in parallel with the engine drivencompressor and disposed in series with the condenser and the evaporator.The method includes: (A) obtaining a temperature in the compartment; (B)determining whether the temperature in the compartment is within adesired temperature range; (C) if the temperature in the compartment isabove the desired temperature range, calculating a thermal load of thecompartment based at least partially on the desired temperature rangeand the measured temperature, and determining whether the thermal loadexceeds first and second predetermined thermal load thresholds; (D) ifthe thermal load exceeds the first predetermined thermal load threshold:turning on the engine if the engine is off; activating the engine drivencompressor, if the engine driven compressor is off, to compress therefrigerant for cooling the compartment; and activating the electricallydriven compressor, if the electrically driven compressor is off, tocompress the refrigerant for cooling the compartment; (E) if the thermalload does not exceed the first predetermined thermal load threshold butdoes exceed a second predetermined thermal load threshold: turning onthe engine if the engine is off; and activating the engine drivencompressor, if the engine driven compressor is off, to compress therefrigerant for cooling the compartment; and (F) if the thermal loaddoes not exceed the second predetermined thermal load threshold:deactivating the engine driven compressor if the engine drivencompressor is on; and activating the electrically driven compressor, ifthe electrically driven compressor is off, to compress the refrigerantfor cooling the compartment.

In some embodiments, step (E) further includes activating theelectrically driven compressor, if the electrically driven compressor isoff, to compress the refrigerant, thereby reducing a load on the enginedriven compressor.

In some embodiments, the engine driven air conditioning system includesa heat exchanger thermally coupled to the compartment of the vehicle anda coolant pump connected to an engine coolant line for circulating aheated engine coolant from the engine to the heat exchanger. In theseembodiments, if it is determined in (B) that the temperature in thecompartment does not exceed the desired temperature range, (G)determining whether the engine is turned on; and (H) automaticallyactivating the coolant pump to direct the heated engine coolant from theengine to the heat exchanger to heat the compartment of the vehicle, ifthe engine is turned on.

In some embodiments, the method also includes: (I) dynamicallymonitoring the thermal load of the compartment; and (J) automaticallydeactivating the engine driven compressor while maintaining activationof the electrically driven compressor, if the thermal load is droppedbelow the second predetermined thermal load threshold. In someembodiments, the method also includes: (K) dynamically monitoring thetemperature of the compartment; and (L) automatically deactivating boththe engine driven compressor and the electrically driven compressor, ifthe temperature of the compartment is dropped below the desiredtemperature range.

In some embodiments where the controller is wirelessly coupled to amobile remote control capable of selectively activating or deactivatingthe controller from inside and outside of the vehicle, the method alsoincludes: (M) selectively activating or deactivating the controllerusing the mobile remote control. In some embodiments, the remote controlis embedded in a vehicle key or a mobile phone. In some embodiments, thecontroller is automatically activated when the remote control is movingtowards the vehicle and within a predetermined distance from the vehiclefirst predetermined periphery. In some embodiments, the controller isautomatically deactivated when the remote control is moving away fromthe vehicle and beyond the predetermined distance from the vehicle.

In some embodiments where the electrically driven unit further includesa second condenser and a first air blower positioned proximate thesecond condenser, the method also include: (N) automatically activatingthe first air blower to blow the ambient air or the air from the airintake of the engine over the second condenser when the secondcompressor is activated. In some embodiments where the climate systemincludes one or both of second and third air blowers respectivelypositioned proximate the condenser and the evaporator, the method alsoinclude: (O) automatically activating the second, third, or both airblowers to blow the ambient air, or the air from the air intake, of theengine respectively over the condenser and the evaporator when theelectrically driven compressor or the engine driven compressor isactivated.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: prior to (C) and ifthe measured temperature is outside of the desired temperature range,notifying an operator one or more of the following: the measuredtemperature, an outside temperature, a temperature difference betweenthe measured temperature and the desired temperature range, and atemperature difference between the outside temperature and the desiredtemperature range. In some embodiments where the climate system includesan object sensor configured to sense presence or absence of an object inthe vehicle, the method includes: prior to (C) and if the measuredtemperature is outside of the desired temperature range, determiningwhether an object is in the vehicle; and upon determining that an objectis present, notifying an operator the presence of the object, andoptionally notifying the operator one or more of the following: themeasured temperature, an outside temperature, a temperature differencebetween the measured temperature and the desired temperature range, anda temperature difference between the outside temperature and the desiredtemperature range. In some embodiments, the method further includes:acquiring instructions from the operator whether to perform cooling orheating; and operating one or more of the following in accordance withthe instruction from the operator: the engine, the engine drivencompressor, the electrically driven compressor, and a coolant pump.

In some embodiments, a vehicle climate system is configured to performany of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores one or moreprograms for execution by one or more processors of a vehicle climatesystem, the one or more programs including instructions for performingany of the methods described herein.

Thus, devices, storage mediums, and systems are provided with methodsfor operating a vehicular climate system, thereby increasing theeffectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with such systems. Suchmethods may complement or replace conventional methods for operating avehicular climate system.

The systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure have otherfeatures and advantages that will be apparent from or are set forth inmore detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein,and the following Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various described implementations,reference should be made to the Detailed Description below, inconjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numeralsrefer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a climate system in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the climate system of FIG. 1including additional components in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views illustrating an auxiliary unit ofa climate system in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the climate system of FIG. 1including additional components in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are block diagrams illustrating the use of a remotecontrol to activate a climate system in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a climatesystem in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method for controlling aclimate system in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the followingdetailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the various describedimplementations. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art that the various described implementations may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been describedin detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of theimplementations.

Many modifications and variations of this disclosure can be made withoutdeparting from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The specific implementations described herein areoffered by way of example only, and the disclosure is to be limited onlyby the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Implementations of the present disclosure are described in the contextof air-conditioning systems for use in vehicles, and in particular, inthe context of air-conditioning systems to cool different compartmentsor spaces of an over-the-road or off-road vehicle. In someimplementations, the air-conditioning system comprises, or is acomponent of, a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC)system.

It is to be appreciated that the term vehicle as used herein may referto trucks, such as tractor-trailer trucks or semi-trailer trucks, thescope of the present teachings is not so limited. The present teachingsare also applicable, without limitation, to cars, vans, buses, trailers,boats, planes, and any other suitable vehicle.

A climate system of the present disclosure generally includes a primaryair conditioning system and an auxiliary unit coupled to the primary airconditioning system. The auxiliary unit includes a second compressor,and in some cases also includes a second condenser. The primary airconditioning system is optionally a conventional air conditioningsystem, and the auxiliary unit is optionally integrated into such aconventional air conditioning system with no or minimal modification onthe conventional air conditioning system. The second compressor and/orthe auxiliary unit is powered by a power source other than the vehicle'sengine. When desired, it is turned on to provide cooling when the engineis off. It is optionally turned on while the engine is running, toeither allow the engine to be turned off, or to reduce the thermal loadon a engine-powered first compressor (e.g., a belt-driven compressor) toreduce fuel consumption.

The climate system of the present disclosure also includes a controller,and the present disclosure provides novel methods to control theoperation of the primary air conditioning system and the auxiliary unit.The methods enable automatic control of the primary air conditioningsystem and the auxiliary unit based on thermal loads and/or otherfactors. In some embodiments, the controller is activated or deactivatedby a remote control inside or outside of the vehicle, facilitating thecapability of pre-conditioning the vehicle prior to entry.

FIG. 1 depicts a representative climate system (100) in accordance withsome embodiments. As shown, the climate system includes a primary airconditioning system (101), a second compressor (104) fluidly coupled tothe primary air conditioning system, and a controller (124). The primaryair conditioning system (101) includes a temperature sensor (106), auser interface, (108), and a first compressor (102). In someembodiments, the user interface comprises an input mechanism. Thetemperature sensor (106) is configured to measure a temperature within acompartment (114) of the vehicle. The temperature sensor is optionallyany suitable sensors, including contact or non-contact sensors. Thetemperature sensor is optionally configured to be placed inside oroutside of the compartment. The user interface (108) (e.g., athermostat) is configured to set and/or receive a desired temperature ofthe compartment (114) from a user. In some embodiments, one singledevice (e.g., a thermostat) functions as both the temperature sensor(106) and the user interface (108). The first compressor (102) is drivenby a power source (110), such as an engine of the vehicle, to compress arefrigerant while the engine of the vehicle is on. In some embodiments,the first compressor is configured to deactivate in accordance with adetermination that the engine is shut-off.

In some embodiments, the primary air conditioning system (101) includesa condenser (118) and an evaporator (120). The first compressor (102),the condenser (118) and the evaporator (120) are fluidly connected byrefrigerant lines (e.g., 122-1, 122-3, 122-4), and form a refrigerantloop. The evaporator (120) is thermally coupled to the compartment (114)of the vehicle to cool the compartment (114). As used herein, the term“thermally coupled” refers to one or more of the following: (i) a device(e.g., the evaporator) is mounted within a corresponding compartment toexchange heat with that compartment, or with the air in thatcompartment, and (ii) the device (e.g., the evaporator) is coupled withanother device (e.g., heat exchanger or air blower) which exchanges heat(e.g., introduces conditioned air) with that compartment. Thecompartment (114) is optionally a cab compartment, a sleepercompartment, a combination of cab and sleeper compartments, or any otherspace in a vehicle.

The second compressor (104) is driven by a power source (112), such asan electric motor, to compress a refrigerant. In some embodiments, theelectric motor is powered by a battery that is charged by the engineduring operation of the engine, by a solar panel installed on thevehicle, or by a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the secondcompressor (104) is fluidly coupled in parallel with the firstcompressor (102), and fluidly coupled in series with the first condenser(118) and the first evaporator (120) of the primary air conditioningsystem (101).

The controller (124) is electrically coupled to the first compressor(102) and the second compressor (104). The controller is configured toobtain the desired temperature of the compartment from the userinterface (108), and obtain the measured temperature of the compartmentfrom the sensor (106). In some embodiments, the controller is configuredto obtain a desired temperature range for the compartment from the userinterface (108). In some embodiments, the controller is configured todetermine a desired temperature range based on the obtained desiredtemperature. In some embodiments, the controller determines a desiredtemperature range of +/−1 degree, 2 degrees, or 3 degrees of theobtained desired temperature. For example, a user enters a desiredtemperature of 72 degrees and the controller sets a desired temperaturerange of 73-71 degrees. In some embodiments, based at least partially ona difference between the desired temperature and the measuredtemperature, the controller calculates a thermal load of thecompartment. In some embodiments, based at least partially on adifference between the desired temperature range and the measuredtemperature, the controller calculates a thermal load of thecompartment. For example, the controller calculates a thermal load basedon a mid-point of the desired temperature range and/or an upper boundaryof the desired temperature range.

Based on the calculated thermal load, the controller (124) controls theoperations of the first and second compressors, to achieve efficientcooling effects and/or reduce fuel consumption. For example, upondetermining that the thermal load exceeds a first predetermined thermalload threshold (e.g., a thermal load capacity of the first compressor),the controller (124) automatically, without human intervention, turns-onthe engine (if the engine was previously off), and enables both thefirst and second compressors to compress the refrigerant for cooling thecompartment. Upon determining that the thermal load does not exceed thefirst predetermined thermal load threshold but does exceed a secondthermal load threshold (e.g., the a thermal load capacity of the secondcompressor), the controller (124) automatically, without humanintervention, turns-on the engine (if the engine was previously off),and enables the first compressor to compress the refrigerant for coolingthe compartment. Upon determining that the thermal load does not exceedthe second predetermined thermal load threshold, the controller (124)enables the second compressor to compress the refrigerant for coolingthe compartment, and optionally disables the first compressor.

In some embodiments, upon determining that the thermal load does notexceed the first predetermined thermal load threshold but does exceed asecond thermal load threshold, the control also enables the secondcompressor to assist in compression of the refrigerant for cooling thecompartment. This reduces the thermal load on the first compressor, andconsequently reduces the fuel consumption.

Referring to FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the climate system (100)further includes a second condenser (202) disposed downstream of thesecond compressor (104) and fluidly coupled to the second compressor.The second condenser (202) condenses the refrigerant compressed by thesecond compressor. Collectively, the second compressor (104) and thesecond condenser (202) form an auxiliary unit (302) fluidly coupled inparallel with the first compressor (102) and fluidly coupled in serieswith the first condenser and the first evaporator of the first airconditioning system (101). In some embodiments, such as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the second compressor (104) and thesecond condenser (202) are integrated to form one single unit. In someembodiments, the primary air conditioning system (101) is a conventionalair conditioning system; and coupling the second compressor (104), orthe auxiliary unit (302), to the primary air conditioning systemrequires no or minimal modifications on the primary air conditioningsystem. In some instances and implementations, due to the two condensers(118, 202) being in series, the first condenser (118) providesadditional thermal transfer (e.g., via convection) without the need foran active air mover (e.g., activation of air blower 208). In someimplementations, the first condenser (118) is configured so as toaccount for the additional thermal transfer (e.g., downsized). In someinstances and implementations, the second condenser (202) providesadditional thermal transfer (e.g., via convection) without the need foran active air mover (e.g., activation air blower 206). In someimplementations, the second condenser (202) is configured so as toaccount for the additional thermal transfer (e.g., downsized). In someimplementations, the climate system is configured such that only one ofthe two condensers (118, 202) is operating in at least some modes. Insome implementations, the climate system is configured such that onlyone of the two air blowers (206, 208) is operating in at least somemodes.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary unit (302) includes a first airblower (206) positioned proximate the second condenser (202) andconfigured to blow ambient air and/or air from an air intake of theengine over the second condenser (202). In some embodiments, the firstair blower (206) is electrically coupled to the controller (124). Insome embodiments, when the second compressor is activated, thecontroller (124) automatically activates the first air blower to blowthe ambient air and/or the air from the air intake of the engine overthe second condenser (202), thereby providing air that is not affectedby the engine heat load (e.g., air not heated by the engine).

In some embodiments, the primary air conditioning system (101) includesone or more air blowers positioned proximate the first condenser and/orthe first evaporator of the primary air conditioning system. As anexample, FIG. 2 illustrates a second air blower (208) positionedproximate the first condenser (118), and a third air blower (210)positioned proximate the first evaporator (120). In some embodiments,the second and third air blowers are electrically connected to thecontroller (124), and configured to blow ambient air and/or air from anair intake of the engine over the first condenser and the evaporatorrespectively. In some embodiments, when the second compressor or thefirst compressor is activated, the controller (124) automaticallyactivates the second and third air blowers to blow the ambient airand/or the air from the air intake of the engine over the firstcondenser and the first evaporator respectively.

In some embodiments, the primary air conditioning system (101) furtherincludes one or more flow control valves to control the refrigerantflowing to the first, second, or both compressors. For example, FIG. 2illustrates a first flow control valve (212) disposed upstream of thefirst compressor (102), and a second flow control valve (214) disposedupstream of the second compressor (104). The first flow control valve(212) is configured to selectively restrict and permit flow of therefrigerant to the first compressor (102). The second flow control valve(214) is configured to selectively restrict and permit flow of therefrigerant to the second compressor (104). In some embodiments, theprimary air conditioning system (101) further includes a metering device(216) disposed upstream of the first evaporator and configured tocontrol flow of the refrigerant into the first evaporator.

In some embodiments, the primary air conditioning system (101) furthercomprises a receiver and/or drier (222) disposed between the firstcondenser system and the first evaporator and configured for performingone or more of the following: temporarily storing the refrigerant, andabsorbing moisture from the refrigerant.

In some embodiment, the climate system (100) further includes an objectsensor (205) configured to sense whether an object (e.g.,temperature-sensitive object) is present in the vehicle (e.g., in thecompartment). Examples of the object sensor include, but are not limitedto, motion detectors, mass or weight sensors, infrared sensors orcameras (e.g., detecting objects by temperature differences relative tosurroundings), visual sensors (e.g., detecting objects by color, shapeor texture), or a combination of two or more different types of sensors.Examples of temperature-sensitive object include, but are not limitedto, pets, medicines, drinks, foods, and/or plants.

Referring to FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, the primary air conditioningsystem (101) includes a heat exchanger (402) and a coolant pump (404)for heating the compartment. The heat exchanger (402) is thermallycoupled with the compartment of the vehicle (e.g., installed at thecompartment, or connected to the compartment via a duct). The coolantpump (404) is connected to (or fluidly coupled to) an engine coolantline. When activated, the coolant pump circulates a heated enginecoolant from the engine to the heat exchanger (402) to heat thecompartment of the vehicle. In some embodiments, if the temperature inthe compartment does not exceed (or does not meet or exceed) the desiredtemperature and if the engine is turned on, the controller (124) isconfigured to automatically activate the coolant pump (404) to directthe heated engine coolant from the engine to the heat exchanger (402) toheat the compartment of the vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, in some embodiments, the climate systemincludes a mobile remote control (204), or the controller (124) iswirelessly coupled to a mobile remote control (204), capable ofselectively activating or deactivating the controller from inside andoutside of the vehicle. This enables pre-conditioning the vehicle (e.g.,cooling or heating the vehicle before an operator enters the vehicle)when desired. In some embodiments, the remote control (204) is embeddedin a vehicle key or a mobile phone. In some embodiments, the remotecontrol (204) includes a manual user interface (e.g., a push button) toactivate or deactivate the controller. In some embodiments, thecontroller is automatically activated when the remote control (204) ismoving towards the vehicle and passing a first predetermined periphery,as illustrated in FIG. 5A. In some embodiments, the controller isautomatically activated when the remote control (204) is moving towardsthe vehicle and within a predetermined distance from the vehicle (e.g.,1, 5, or 10 feet), or a particular component of the vehicle (e.g., thedriver's seat). In some embodiments, the controller is automaticallydeactivated when the remote control (204) is moving away from thevehicle and passing a second predetermined periphery (506), asillustrated in FIG. 5B. In some embodiments, the controller isautomatically deactivated when the remote control (204) is moving awayfrom the vehicle and is not within a predetermined distance from thevehicle (e.g., 2, 10, or 15 feet), or a particular component of thevehicle (e.g., the driver's seat). It should be noted that the first andsecond predetermined peripheries are optionally the same as or differentfrom one another (e.g., in terms of sizes, shapes, or locations). Also,it should be noted that the first predetermined periphery optionallyresides within or overlaps with the second predetermined periphery, orvice visa. Further, it should be noted that the shape of the first orsecond predetermined periphery is optionally regular (e.g., a circle oroval) or irregular.

FIG. 6 depicts a method (600) for controlling a climate system inaccordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the method (600)is performed by a climate system, such as the climate system (100), orone or more components of the climate system, such as controller (124).In some embodiments, the method (600) is performed by a device orcontroller coupled to the climate system. Thus, in some embodiments, theoperations of the method 600 described herein are entirelyinterchangeable, and respective operations of the method 600 areperformed by any of the aforementioned devices, systems, or combinationof devices and/or systems. In some embodiments, the method (600) isgoverned by instructions that are stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium and that are executed by one or moreprocessors of the climate system, such as the one or more processors ofcontroller (124). For convenience, the method (600) is described belowas being performed by a system, such as the climate system (100).

In some embodiments, the climate system, such as the climate system(100), is installed in a vehicle for heating and cooling a compartmentof the vehicle. In some embodiments, the climate system includes aprimary air conditioning system, such as the primary air conditioningsystem (101), an auxiliary unit, such as the auxiliary unit (302), and acontroller, such as the controller (124). In some embodiments, theprimary air conditioning system includes a first compressor such as thefirst compressor (102) driven by an engine of the vehicle, a firstcondenser such as the first condenser (118), and a first evaporator suchas the first evaporator (120) thermally coupled to the compartment ofthe vehicle to cool the compartment. In some embodiments, the auxiliaryunit includes a second compressor such as the second compressor (104)fluidly coupled in parallel with the first compressor and in series withthe first condenser and the first evaporator.

The system obtains (602) a temperature for the compartment (T), anddetermines (604) whether the temperature in the compartment is within adesired temperature range ([T1, T2]), where T2 is equal to or greaterthan T1. In some embodiments, the desired temperature range ([T1, T2])is based on a desired temperature obtained from a user (e.g., is +/−1,2, or 3 degrees from the desired temperature). In some embodiments, thesystem determines whether the temperature in the compartment is belowT1, within [T1, T2] (either inclusively or exclusively), or above T2. Ifthe temperature in the compartment is above the desired temperaturerange, the system calculates (608) a thermal load of the compartment (Q)based at least partially on the desired temperature range and themeasured temperature, and determines (610 and 614) whether the thermalload exceeds (or meets or exceeds) first and second predeterminedthermal load thresholds (Q1, Q2). In some embodiments, the determinationof whether the thermal load exceeds (or meets or exceeds) the first andsecond predetermined thermal load thresholds is performed concurrently,or the order of the determination is alternated. In some embodiments,the first predetermined thermal load threshold is the cooling capacityof the first compressor. In some embodiments, the second predeterminedthermal load threshold is the cooling capacity of the second compressor.

Upon determining that the thermal load exceeds (or meets or exceeds) thefirst predetermined thermal load threshold, the system (612): (1) turnson the engine if the engine is off; (2) activates the first compressorif the first compressor is off, to compress the refrigerant for coolingthe compartment; and (3) activates the second compressor, if the secondcompressor is off, to compress the refrigerant for cooling thecompartment. In some embodiments, the system enables various components,which includes powering the components on, if necessary. In someembodiments, the system disables various components, which includespowering down the components. For example, upon determining that thethermal load exceeds (or meets or exceeds) the first predeterminedthermal load threshold, the system: (1) enables the engine; (2) enablesthe first compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling thecompartment; and (3) enables the second compressor to compress therefrigerant for cooling the compartment

Upon determining that the thermal load does not exceed the firstpredetermined thermal load threshold but does exceed (or meets orexceeds) a second predetermined thermal load threshold, the system(616): (1) turns on the engine if the engine is off; and (2) activatesthe first compressor, if the first compressor is off, to compress therefrigerant for cooling the compartment. In some embodiments, upondetermining that the thermal load does not exceed the firstpredetermined thermal load threshold but does exceed a secondpredetermined thermal load threshold, the system: (1) enables theengine; and (2) enables the first compressor to compress the refrigerantfor cooling the compartment. In some embodiments, the system alsoactivates the second compressor, if the second compressor is off, tocompress the refrigerant. This results in reduction of the load on thefirst compressor, reduction of engine power needed for operating thefirst compressor, and consequently reduction of the fuel consumption.This also results in additional output capacity, if needed.

Upon determining that the thermal load does not exceed the secondpredetermined thermal load threshold, the system (618): (1) deactivatesthe first compressor if the first compressor is on; and (2) activatesthe second compressor if the second compressor is off or maintainsactivation of the second compressor, to compress the refrigerant forcooling the compartment. In some embodiments, upon determining that thethermal load does not exceed the second predetermined thermal loadthreshold, the system: (1) disables the first compressor; and (2)enables the second compressor to compress the refrigerant for coolingthe compartment.

In some embodiments, the method includes additional or optional steps.For example, in some embodiments where the primary air conditioningsystem further comprises a heat exchanger, such as the heat exchanger(402), thermally coupled to the compartment of the vehicle and a coolantpump such as the coolant pump (404) connected to an engine coolant line,the method additionally or optionally includes the system determining(622) whether the engine is turned on. Upon determining that the engineis turned on, the system automatically activates the coolant pump todirect the heated engine coolant from the engine to the heat exchangerto heat the compartment of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, additionally or optionally, the method includesdynamically monitoring the temperature of the compartment, and operatingthe first compressor, the second compressor, and/or the coolant pumpaccordingly. The monitoring of the temperature can be achieved, forexample, by obtaining the compartment temperature (602) after thecooling or heating is performed (e.g., at 612, 616, 618, and/or 622). Insome embodiments, the system obtains (602) the compartment temperatureat a predefined interval (e.g., every 10 seconds, 30 seconds, or 1minute). Upon determining that the temperature of the compartment isabove the desired temperature range, the system automaticallydeactivates (606) the coolant pump if the coolant pump is on. Upondetermining that the temperature of the compartment has dropped belowthe desired temperature range, the system automatically deactivates(620) both the first compressor and the second compressor if they areon. Upon determining that the temperature of the compartment is withinthe desired temperature range, the system optionally sleeps for a presetamount of time (e.g., every 10 seconds, 30 seconds, or 1 minute),obtains a new compartment temperature, or ends the control process.

Referring to FIG. 7 , in some embodiments, the system notifies (704) anoperator (e.g., a driver) if it is determined that the measuredtemperature is outside of the desired temperature range. Thenotification is optionally an audio notification (e.g., alarm), a visualnotification (e.g., text message), or in any suitable format. In someembodiments, the system notifies the operator one or more of thefollowing: the measured temperature, an outside temperature (e.g., atemperature outside of the vehicle), a temperature difference betweenthe measured temperature and the desired temperature range, atemperature difference between the outside temperature and the desiredtemperature range.

In some embodiments where the climate system further includes an objectsensor, such as the object sensor (205), configured to sense aparticular object (or type of object), the system determines (702)whether the particular object is in the vehicle (e.g., in accordancewith a determination that the measured temperature is outside of thedesired temperature range). Upon determining that the particular objectis present, the system notifies (704) an operator as to the presence ofthe object. The notification is optionally audio (e.g., alarm), visual(e.g., text message, image of the object, cartoon), or any othersuitable format. In some embodiments, the system notifies the operatoras to the presence of the object, along with one or more of thefollowing: the measured temperature, an outside temperature (e.g., atemperature outside of the vehicle), a temperature difference betweenthe measured temperature and the desired temperature range, atemperature difference between the outside temperature and the desiredtemperature range.

In some embodiments, the system requests (706) instruction from theoperator as to whether to perform cooling or heating; and operates theengine, the primary air conditioning system, the second compressor,and/or other components accordingly. For example, upon receivinginstructions from the operator that cooling or heating is desired, themethod proceeds to S606 or S608 if the measured temperature is above thedesired temperature range, or proceeds to S620 or S622 if the measuredtemperature does not exceed the desired temperature range. In someembodiments, upon receiving instructions from the operator that coolingor heating is not desired, the method proceeds to S706 to prepare endingof the control process, regardless of the temperature. In someembodiments, upon receiving instructions from the operator that coolingor heating is not desired, the system sleeps for a preset amount of time(e.g., 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes) before obtaining (602) atemperature for the compartment. In some embodiments, the systemdeactivates (708) one or more of the following: the engine, the firstcompressor, the second compressor, and the coolant pump, if they are on.

It should be noted that, although some of various drawings illustrate anumber of logical stages in a particular order, stages that are notorder dependent may be reordered and other stages may be combined orbroken out. While some reordering or other groupings are specificallymentioned, others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art,so the ordering and groupings presented herein are not an exhaustivelist of alternatives. Moreover, it should be recognized that the stagescould be implemented in hardware, firmware, software or any combinationthereof. As an example, detection (702) of the presence or absence of anobject is optionally performed before temperature measurement (602). Itis also optionally performed after temperature measurement (602) butbefore the temperature determination (604). As another example,deactivation (606) of the coolant pump is optionally performed beforedetection (702) of the presence or absence of an object, or beforenotification (704) of the operator. Similarly, deactivation (620) of thecompressor(s) is optionally performed before detection (702) of thepresence or absence of an object, or before notification (704) of theoperator.

In some embodiments, the method includes other additional or optionalsteps. For example, in some embodiments where the climate systemincludes a remote control or the controller is coupled to a remotecontrol such as the remote control (204), the method includesselectively activating or deactivating the controller using the mobileremote control (manually or automatically). In some embodiments, thecontroller is automatically activated when the remote control is movingtowards the vehicle and passing a first predetermined periphery such asthe first predetermined periphery (504). In some embodiments, thecontroller is automatically deactivated when the remote control ismoving away from the vehicle and passing a second predeterminedperiphery such as the second predetermined periphery (506).

In some embodiments where the auxiliary unit further comprises an secondcondenser such as the second condenser (202) and a first air blower suchas the first air blower (206) positioned proximate the second condenser,the method includes automatically activating the first air blower toblow the ambient air or the air from the air intake of the engine overthe second condenser when the second compressor is activated. In someembodiments where the primary air conditioning system includes one orboth second and third air blowers such as the second and third airblowers (208, 210) respectively positioned proximate the first condenserand the first evaporator, the method includes automatically activatingone or both of the second and third air blowers to blow the ambient airor the air from the air intake of the engine respectively over the firstcondenser and the first evaporator when the second compressor or thefirst compressor is activated. The activation of the first, second, andthird air blowers can be performed in the same operation as theactivation of the second compressor and the first compressor (e.g., at612, 616, or 618). It can also be performed separately, or with a presettime delay.

It will also be understood that, although the terms primary, auxiliary,first, second, etc. are, in some instances, used herein to describevarious elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Forexample, a first blower could be termed a second blower, and, similarly,a second blower could be termed a first blower, without departing fromthe scope of the various described embodiments. The first blower and thesecond blower are both blowers, but they are not the same blower.

The terminology used in the description of the various describedembodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in thedescription of the various described embodiments and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as usedherein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or“comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when”or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting”or “in accordance with a determination that,” depending on the context.Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated conditionor event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event]” or “in accordance with a determination that [astated condition or event] is detected,” depending on the context.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific implementations. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the scope of the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings. The implementations were chosen in order to best explain theprinciples underlying the claims and their practical applications, tothereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the implementationswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usescontemplated.

1. (canceled)
 2. A climate system for conditioning a compartment of avehicle, comprising: one or more sensors configured to obtainmeasurements corresponding to a vehicle; a first compressor driven by anengine of the vehicle, the first compressor configured to compress arefrigerant; a second compressor driven by an electric motor, the secondcompressor configured to compress the refrigerant; and a controllerelectrically coupled to the first compressor, the second compressor, andthe one or more sensors, the controller configured to: receive a userdefined temperature threshold for a compartment of the vehicle; inaccordance with a determination that the measurements obtained via theone or more sensors indicate that a temperature within the compartmentof the vehicle exceeds the user defined temperature threshold, determinea thermal load of the compartment, wherein the thermal load of thecompartment is based, at least partially, on a difference between theuser defined temperature threshold and the temperature within thecompartment of the vehicle, and operate the climate system in apredetermined mode based on the thermal load exceeding one or morepredetermined thermal load thresholds.
 3. The climate system of claim 2,wherein: the predetermined mode is a first predetermined mode initiatedin accordance with a determination that the thermal load exceeds a firstpredetermined thermal load threshold; and operating the climate systemin the first predetermined mode includes activating the first compressorand the second compressor to cool the compartment of the vehicle.
 4. Theclimate system of claim 3, wherein operating the climate system in thefirst predetermined mode includes: in accordance with a determinationthat the engine of the vehicle is off, turning on the engine of thevehicle.
 5. The climate system of claim 2, wherein: the predeterminedmode is a second predetermined mode initiated in accordance with adetermination that the thermal load exceeds a second predeterminedthermal load threshold less than a first predetermined thermal loadthreshold; and operating the climate system in the second predeterminedmode includes activating the first compressor to cool the compartment ofthe vehicle.
 6. The climate system of claim 5, wherein operating theclimate system in the second predetermined mode includes: in accordancewith a determination that the engine of the vehicle is off, turning onthe engine of the vehicle.
 7. The climate system of claim 2, wherein thecontroller is further configured to: in accordance with a determinationthat the thermal load does not exceeds the one or more predeterminedthermal load thresholds, operate the climate system in a thirdpredetermined mode, the third predetermined mode including activatingthe second compressor to cool the compartment of the vehicle.
 8. Theclimate system of claim 2, further comprising: a coolant pumpfluidically coupled to an engine coolant line; and the controller isfurther configured to: in accordance with a determination that themeasurements obtained via the one or more sensors indicate that thetemperature within the compartment of the vehicle is below the userdefined temperature threshold, operate the climate system in a heatingmode, the heating mode including disabling the first compressor andsecond compressor and activating the cooling pump.
 9. The climate systemof claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to: in responseto a determination, based on the measurements obtained via the one ormore sensors, that an object is within the compartment of the vehicle,requesting instructions from a user to operate the climate system. 10.The climate system of claim 2, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: in accordance with a determination that the measurementsobtained via the one or more sensors indicate that the temperaturewithin the compartment of the vehicle is not within the user definedtemperature threshold, providing a notification to the user.
 11. Theclimate system of claim 2, further comprising a mobile remote controlwirelessly coupled to the controller, the mobile remote controlconfigured to selectively activate and deactivate the controller frominside and outside of the vehicle.
 12. The climate system of claim 11,wherein the mobile remote control is embedded in a mobile phone and/or akey.
 13. The climate system of claim 11, wherein the mobile remotecontrol is configured to automatically activate the controller inaccordance with a determination that the remote control is movingtowards the vehicle and is within a first predetermined periphery aroundthe vehicle.
 14. The climate system of claim 13, wherein the mobileremote control is configured to automatically deactivate in accordancewith a determination that the remote control is moving away from thevehicle and is beyond a second predetermined periphery from the vehicle.15. The climate system of claim 2, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: after operating the climate system in the predeterminedmode, in accordance with a determination that the measurements obtainedvia the one or more sensors indicate that the temperature within thecompartment of the vehicle is within the user defined temperaturethreshold, cease operating the climate system in the predetermined mode.16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includinginstructions that, when executed by a controller of a climate system forconditioning a compartment of a vehicle, cause the controller to:receive a user defined temperature threshold for a compartment of avehicle; in accordance with a determination that measurements obtainedvia one or more sensors of the vehicle indicate that a temperaturewithin the compartment of the vehicle exceeds the user definedtemperature threshold, determine a thermal load of the compartment,wherein the thermal load of the compartment is based, at leastpartially, on a difference between the user defined temperaturethreshold and the temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; andoperate a climate system in a predetermined mode based on the thermalload exceeding one or more predetermined thermal load thresholds. 17.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16,wherein: the predetermined mode is a first predetermined mode initiatedin accordance with a determination that the thermal load exceeds a firstpredetermined thermal load threshold; and operating the climate systemin the first predetermined mode includes activating a first compressorand a second compressor of the climate system to cool the compartment ofthe vehicle.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 16, wherein: the predetermined mode is a second predetermined modeinitiated in accordance with a determination that the thermal loadexceeds a second predetermined thermal load threshold less than a firstpredetermined thermal load threshold; and operating the climate systemin the second predetermined mode includes activating a first compressorof the climate system to cool the compartment of the vehicle.
 19. Amethod for controlling a climate system installed in a vehicle, themethod comprising: receiving a user defined temperature threshold for acompartment of a vehicle; in accordance with a determination thatmeasurements obtained via one or more sensors of the vehicle indicatethat a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle exceeds theuser defined temperature threshold, determining a thermal load of thecompartment, wherein the thermal load of the compartment is based, atleast partially, on a difference between the user defined temperaturethreshold and the temperature within the compartment of the vehicle, andoperating a climate system in a predetermined mode based on the thermalload exceeding one or more predetermined thermal load thresholds. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein: the predetermined mode is a firstpredetermined mode initiated in accordance with a determination that thethermal load exceeds a first predetermined thermal load threshold; andoperating the climate system in the first predetermined mode includesactivating a first compressor and a second compressor of the climatesystem to cool the compartment of the vehicle.
 21. The method of claim19, wherein: the predetermined mode is a second predetermined modeinitiated in accordance with a determination that the thermal loadexceeds a second predetermined thermal load threshold less than a firstpredetermined thermal load threshold; and operating the climate systemin the second predetermined mode includes activating a first compressorof the climate system to cool the compartment of the vehicle.